Clarksville, TN – Dunbar Cave State Natural Area has been a State Park since 1973. The cave and its surrounding 110 acres have considerable scenic, natural and historical significance. The entrance offered shelter to prehistoric Native Americans as far back as 10,000 years.
Dunbar Cave State Natural Area will present many nature programs during the year. There are programs for children and adults.
Some of the upcoming events include: Cave Entrance Exploration, Bird Hike, Day Into Night Hike, Port Royal Bird Hike, Cave Hike, and Port Royal History Hike.
Monday, August 17th
Cave Entrance Exploration
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Ages: 4 – adult
Bring a flashlight and see what animals call the cave entrance home.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 15th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Tuesday, August 18th
Day Into Night Hike
Time: 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Ages: All ages
Join us as we walk the Short Loop Trail as the sun sets and darkness rises– we might hear owls, frogs and other creatures.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 16th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Thursday, August 20th
Port Royal Bird Hike
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Ages: Adults
Bring your binoculars and learn about the birds of Port Royal. Meet at parking lot next to Visitor Center at Port Royal.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 18th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Friday, August 21st
Bird Hike
Time: 6:30am – 8:30am
Ages: Adults
Bring your binoculars and learn about our feathered inhabitants.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 19th.
Program Leader: Amy Wallace, Interpretive Specialist
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
Due to the presence of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in our cave, clean caving protocols are in effect. Each person must bring two pairs of shoes- boots or shoes with good traction, and any type of footwear to change into so that the WNS fungus is not carried out on your shoes. The park will provide bags and instructions on cleaning the shoes so that we do not spread WNS to other areas.
Reservations are required and can be made only during office hours (8:00am – 4:30pm Monday-Friday), and can be made by phone or in person. Hike is limited to 20 persons.
Port Royal History Hike
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: 8 – adult
Meet at the upper parking lot next to the Visitor Center to learn about the history of Port Royal Historic Area.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 19th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Saturday, August 22nd
Volunteer Opportunity
Time: 8:00am – 9:00am
Ages: 10 – Adult
If you enjoy our butterfly garden, please come out and help us look after it by weeding. Bring work gloves and water. In the process you’ll learn about our native plants and what we have in our garden. You don’t have to stay the full hour, even 10 minutes will help.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 20th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
See Friday, August 21st for details on cave hikes.
Blindman’s Tree Hunt
Time: 1:30pm – 2:00pm
Ages: 5 – 10
In some Native American tribes this game was used as a test of manhood. These days it’s just plain fun. Test your memory and your senses as you trace your way back to a place you’ve never seen.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 20th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Interpretive Afternoon Hike
Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Ages: All Ages
On this guided 1 mile hike we’ll point out the interesting sights our park has to offer.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 20th.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Night Hike
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Ages: All ages
We will walk the Short Loop Trail as the sun sets and darkness rises– we might hear owls, frogs and other creatures as we go.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 20th.
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Sunday, August 23rd
Time: 8:00am – 9:00am
Ages: 10 – Adult
If you enjoy our butterfly garden, please come out and help us look after it by weeding. Bring work gloves and water. In the process you’ll learn about our native plants and what we have in our garden. You don’t have to stay the full hour, even 10 minutes will help.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 21st.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Cave Hike
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Ages: 5 – adult
See Friday, August 21st for details on cave hikes.
Volunteer Opportunity
Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Ages: 12 – Adult
Our new property has a healthy batch of kudzu and privet! Grab some work gloves and take the week’s frustrations out on an invasive species (looks great on resumes). Bring water and wear bug spray. Eat lunch before you come.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 21st.
Program Leader: Kala Downey, Seasonal Interpretive Ranger
Sunday, August 23rd
Sinkholes
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: 9 – adult
Clarksville is built on caves and sinkholes – come out and learn about these holes in the ground on this short hike.
Reservations Required by: 4:30pm, August 21st
Program Leader: Adam Neblett, Ranger
Dunbar Cave State Park Programs Information
Programs are free unless noted otherwise. All programs require reservations by the Deadline Listed. Programs with no reservations by the deadline will be canceled.
All programs begin at the Visitor Center unless another site is listed.
Children must be accompanied by an adult (one adult for each three children).
Age limits are definite – please do not sign up a child who is younger or older than the age limits given.
Dunbar Cave State Park is located at 401 Old Dunbar Cave Road, Clarksville Tennessee.
Port Royal State Historic Park is located at 3300 Old Clarksville Springfield Road, Adams, Tennessee.
Call 931.648.5526 for reservations.
